About Falken
Falken was launched in 1983 by Ohtsu Tire & Rubber in Japan as a performance-focused brand, and it passed fully into Sumitomo Rubber Industries (the company behind Dunlop in Asia) when Ohtsu was merged into SRI in 2003. The brand built its name in motorsport, especially endurance racing at the Nürburgring, and in the American drift and off-road scene, where the Wildpeak range became a common sight on pickups and 4x4s. Today Falken tyres for the Middle East come mainly from Sumitomo plants in Japan, Thailand and Turkey, and the range shares compounds and construction methods with Sumitomo's other brands.
Strengths
- Sharp steering response and strong dry grip for the price
- Wildpeak A/T is one of the best-value all-terrain tyres for sand and gravel
- Wide size coverage from 14-inch hatchbacks to 22-inch SUVs
- Japanese-owned quality control with consistent build from batch to batch
Weaknesses
- Some sizes are only stocked by a few UAE distributors, so lead times can be 2–4 days
- Performance models wear faster than touring tyres from Michelin or Bridgestone
- All-terrain models get noticeably louder on the highway after about 30,000 km
Falken ranges and prices
| Model | Type | Rims | Price per tyre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falken Azenis FK520 | Ultra-high performance summer | 17–22 inch | AED 480 – AED 950 |
| Falken Ziex ZE310 Ecorun | Touring / comfort | 14–18 inch | AED 270 – AED 520 |
| Falken Azenis FK510 SUV | SUV ultra-high performance | 18–22 inch | AED 560 – AED 1,050 |
| Falken Wildpeak A/T3WA | All-terrain 4x4 | 15–22 inch | AED 520 – AED 1,000 |
| Falken Wildpeak H/T02 | Highway terrain SUV | 15–20 inch | AED 420 – AED 780 |
Cars it suits
- Toyota Camry
- Honda Accord
- Nissan Altima
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- Nissan Patrol
- Toyota Hilux
- Lexus ES
- Hyundai Sonata
Our ratings out of 10
- Wet grip
- 7
- Dry grip
- 8
- Comfort
- 7
- Quietness
- 7
- Tread life
- 7
- Heat resistance
- 7
Performance
Falken's strongest point is dry-road behaviour: the Azenis FK520 turns in quickly and holds its line well on fast ramps such as the Al Khail Road and Sheikh Zayed Road interchanges, and it brakes close to premium rivals from 100 km/h. Wet grip is good rather than class-leading, which matters less in the UAE than in Europe but still counts during winter rain and on wet basement ramps. The Ziex ZE310 Ecorun is calmer and quieter, built for commuting rather than spirited driving. On the 4x4 side, the Wildpeak A/T3WA grips well in sand when aired down to 15–18 psi and has a reinforced sidewall that copes with rocky wadi tracks in Hatta and Ras Al Khaimah.
Durability and tread life
In UAE conditions a Falken touring tyre such as the Ziex ZE310 typically lasts 40,000–55,000 km on a sedan driven mostly on highways, while the softer Azenis FK520 usually needs replacing at 30,000–40,000 km. Wildpeak all-terrain tyres on a Patrol or Land Cruiser commonly reach 50,000–65,000 km if rotated every 10,000 km and re-inflated properly after desert trips. Sidewalls resist the cracking that heat causes on cheaper tyres, but like any tyre they should be replaced around 5 years from the DOT date in this climate, even if tread remains.
Falken in UAE conditions
Falken is distributed in the UAE through established tyre importers and is easy to find in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for popular sizes such as 215/55 R17, 235/45 R18, 265/65 R17 and 275/70 R16. Ask for the DOT code before fitting: stock in the UAE moves at a moderate pace, and you should not accept a tyre made more than about 2 years earlier. For desert use, the Wildpeak A/T3WA is the Falken to choose; the highway-focused Wildpeak H/T02 is quieter but should not be aired below about 20 psi in soft sand. Our technicians can fit Falken tyres at your home or office in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, with fitting from AED 100.
